Police are ramping up patrols in a south Essex nature park after reports of young and adult swans being injured and killed.
Officers have received reports of swans and cygnets (young swans) being attacked, injured and killed by people using catapults and ball bearings within the Chafford Gorges Nature Park.
The Chafford Gorges Nature Park is a nature reserve in Chafford Hundred, managed by the Essex Wildlife Trust.
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A spokesman for Essex Police's Rural, Wildlife and Heritage Crime policing team said on Twitter: "Reports of Swans/Cygnets being attacked, injured and killed by persons using catapults and ball bearings within the Chafford Gorges Nature Park."
"If you witness this or any antisocial behaviour call Essex Police."
In another Tweet they added: "We will be conducting patrols alongside working with our partners who we already have a good working relationship with, such as Environment Agency Anglia and Essex Wildlife."
For information on how to report anti social behaviour visit the Essex Police website.
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